Alaska's Northern Lights
The World's Best Aurora Borealis Viewing

3 days / 2 nights

Located an easy one hour flight north of Fairbanks and just above the Arctic Circle, Bettles Lodge is situated under the world's most active Aurora Borealis zone. The main lodge is a beautiful, rustic yet modern building built in 1948. It has been brought up to date to provide guests fully modern amenities. In the lodge common area, relax after a day of outdoor activities, watch TV, converse with other guests about the day's activities or visit the second floor game room, complete with a billiard table. At Bettles Lodge, you will find a relaxing setting offering some of the most vivid displays of the Northern Lights found anywhere!

 

Outdoor activities abound at Bettles Lodge! As part of your package, enjoy a 1 ˝ - 2 hour guided tour of the Bettles area, including the rural village of Evansville and the floatplane pond. A 30  minute dog sled tour is also included. The staff is always happy to assist you in planning additional daily activities, such as taking an exhilarating ride on a snow machine, mastering the technique of snowshoeing or quietly gliding through the beautiful Gates of the Artic National Park on cross-country skis. If needed, warm clothing is available to rent at the lodge for a nominal cost. Regardless of how you spend your time at Bettles Lodge you are sure to have an unforgettable visit!

Roundtrip airfare between Fairbanks and Bettles; 2 nights lodging and all meals at Bettles Lodge; village tour; 30 minute dog sled ride; all taxes.

Accommodations: Standard rooms are located in the main lodge which has a total of 6 standard guest rooms that share 2 central bathrooms. (Standard rooms do not have private bath).
Jacuzzi rooms are located in the Aurora Lodge, which is separate from the main lodge. Jacuzzi rooms have private bathroom with the Jacuzzi tub in the bedroom.

November 1, 2007 to April 30, 2008: Daily departures
(Please note: snow conditions can vary and are not known at time of booking)

Summer programs also available - click here for more information
(Best Aurora viewing only during the winter months!)

Tour 230CTA: Arctic Circle Aurora Adventure

5 days / 4 nights or 6 days / 5 nights

 

Day 1: Fairbanks arrival

Arrive into Fairbanks on your own. Transfer to your hotel via hotel courtesy shuttle. Overnight Fairbanks.

 

Day 2: Fairbanks to Coldfoot Camp

This morning, transfer to the Fairbanks Airport via hotel courtesy shuttle or on your own. From here, you will depart on a guided ground tour in a comfortable tour van. Travel through Alaska's interior on the famed Dalton Highway, past old mining towns and over the Yukon River. Along the way, your driver/guide will explain the history of Alaska's arctic. View the amazing Trans Alaska Pipeline. You will cross the Arctic in ceremonious fashion and receive an official Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate. In the early evening, arrive in Coldfoot in time to enjoy Alaska's Arctic on your own, perhaps with an optional Aurora Borealis viewing tour to nearby Wiseman. Overnight at Coldfoot Camp.

 

Days 3 and 4: Coldfoot Camp

Spend time experiencing Alaska's Arctic with a variety of optional tours, such as an excursion further north into to the Brooks Mountain Range along the Dalton Highway, dog sledding with a local musher, or additional Aurora viewing in the town of Wiseman (not included in tour price; please contact us for more information on these options). Overnight at Coldfoot Camp.

 

Day 5: Coldfoot Camp to Fairbanks

Depart Coldfoot on a flight to Fairbanks. Upon arrival in Fairbanks, transfer to your hotel via hotel courtesy shuttle. Overnight Fairbanks.

 

Day 6: Fairbanks departure

Departure transfer provided by hotel courtesy shuttle.

4 or 5 nights accommodations, including 2 nights in Fairbanks and 2 or 3 nights in Coldfoot Camp. Round trip transfers from Fairbanks: one way flight and one way guided van tour. All taxes.

Passenger weights are required at time of reservation! This is important for the flight portion, as the total weight of the aircraft, including passenger and luggage weight, is limited for safety reasons.

Luggage is limited to a maximum weight of 40 pounds per person. Soft-sided luggage, such as a duffle bag, is required. Any excess luggage can be stored at the hotel in Fairbanks.

Accommodations: Coldfoot Camp offers rustic, but clean, accommodations. Each room features two twin beds and private bath facilities.

Meals are NOT included but can be purchased at the restaurant located across the street from the lodging.

5 day/4 night program: Mondays and Wednesdays, October 2007 to April 2008
6 day/5 night program: Fridays and Sundays, October 2007 to April 2008

Tour 231CTA: Fairbanks Aurora Viewing Package

3 days / 2 nights

Day 1:  On arrival in Fairbanks, transfer is provided to your hotel via courtesy shuttle. At approximately 10pm this evening, you will depart from your hotel for an Aurora Viewing tour. A 30 to 45-minute drive will take you outside of Fairbanks to the Aurora Borealis Lodge, a beautiful, spacious Alaskan log building designed specially for viewing the Northern Lights. Located on Cleary Summit 20 miles north of Fairbanks, the lodge is situated away from the city lights that can hinder Aurora viewing. We recommend that you dress warmly for this tour, so you may view the Northern Lights from outdoors. If you become cold, the large, north-facing windows allow for optimal viewing from the warmth of the lodge. Tour time is approximately 4.5 hours total, including transfer time. Hot beverages and roundtrip transportation are included. Your driver will return to you to your hotel at around 2:30am. Overnight Fairbanks.

Day 2:  Depart from your hotel for a 5-hour sightseeing tour of Fairbanks. Visit the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Museum, where you will marvel at the natural and cultural history of Alaska and discover the science behind the Northern Lights. From here, travel to the UAF Large Animal Research Station, the Alaska Oil Pipeline viewing station, the Fairbanks Visitor's Center, and the Alaska House Native Art Gallery. Your tour then departs Fairbanks for the town of North Pole. Here you will visit the world famous Santa Claus House; you may even get to meet Kris Kringle and his reindeer! Your tour concludes at your hotel. Overnight Fairbanks. This evening, add an additional evening aurora viewing tour (not included in tour price; see below).

Day 3:  Departure transfer provided by hotel courtesy shuttle.

2 nights accommodations. 1 evening aurora tour (tour can be moved to the evening of Day 2; please note this request on your reservation form). 5-hour guided sightseeing tour including museum admission. All taxes.

November 1, 2007 to April 10, 2008: Daily departures
Please note: aurora viewing is dependent on weather and aurora activity!

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